"If drug companies follow guidance issued Wednesday by the Food and Drug Administration, within three years it will be illegal to use medically important antibiotics to make farm animals grow faster or use feed more efficiently."

"The FDA's announcement wasn't a big surprise; a draft version of the strategy was released more than a year ago.

The bigger news is that the two biggest veterinary drug companies, Elanco and Zoetis, said Wednesday that they will, in fact, follow the FDA's advice and make it illegal for farmers to use their drugs for growth promotion. The Animal Health Institute, which represents most of the industry, likewise expressed enthusiastic support for the FDA's move."

Dan Charles reports for NPR's All Things Considered December 11, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"New U.S. FDA Rules Aim To Cut Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals" (Reuters) [3]

"F.D.A. Restricts Antibiotics Use for Livestock" (New York Times) [4]

"FDA Finalizes Voluntary Rules on Phasing Out Certain Antibiotics in Livestock" (Washington Post) [5]

"FDA To Crack Down on Antibiotics in Animals Reared for Meat" (Guardian) [6]

"Industry Reacts to FDA’s Animal Antibiotic Updates" (Supermarket News) [7]

"FDA Moves Toward Phasing Out Use of Antibiotics in Meat Animals" (AP) [8]

"Phasing Out Certain Antibiotic Use in Farm Animals" (FDA Release) [9]